Precast Technology
Face-To-Face
IS Codes Acknowledge the Usage of Precast Elements
Mr. Chander Dutta
Managing Director,
Elematic India Private Limited
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“ recast building construction is still in its nascent stages
in India and thus there is still a lack of awareness about
it among the builder, developer community. Despite this
Elematic has supplied, installed and successfully commissioned 14
precast plants all across India. As a technology provider we do not
restrict ourselves to supply of precast machines. We provide 360
degree solutions like project consultancy, precast machine supply,
design and installation of precast factories, structural design and
value engineering of precast buildings and training for production
and installation of precast elements”, says Mr. Chander Dutta
Managing Director, Elematic India Private Limited
CE&CR: Tell us about your expertise in precast technology
C.D: Elematic works globally having many long-term
partnerships in all continents. We have completed over 3600
deliveries in more than 100 countries in 6 continents.
We are a one-stop supplier of all precast machines for
production of slabs, columns, beams, walls, staircases and lift
shafts. We have other moulds for specialized precast elements
which can be customized for individual clients. Elematic has the
most advanced Automated Concrete Distribution System and
we have the capability of providing robotic shuttering in our
advanced precast factories.
As a technology provider we do not restrict ourselves to
supply of precast machines. We provide 360 degree solutions
like project consultancy, precast machine supply, design and
installation of precast factories, structural design and value
engineering of precast buildings and training for production and
installation of precast elements. We provide end to end solutions.
Through our Indian and global partners we also provide
consulting services for concrete mix design for Hollow Core Slabs
and SCC for Battery Moulds. Further we also provide training for
122 CE&CR November 2014
site staff for treatment of precast joints on construction sites and
effective waterproofing in precast buildings.
Lately the most vivid areas have been the Middle East, Russia,
India and China. To the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain
alone, Elematic has delivered twenty complete factories.
CE&CR: What is the USP of technology adopted by your
company?
C.D: Elematic has launched three technology levels to suit the
needs of different players in the construction sector. We have
three technology levels, SEMI, PRO and EDGE which differ from
each other in the production capacity and level of automation.
We have specially developed the SEMI Line keeping in mind
developing economics such as India, China, South East Asian and
African countries.
CE&CR: What has been your experience with regard to
awareness, development and growth of precast technology in
India?
C.D: Precast building construction is still in its nascent stages
in India and thus there is still a lack of awareness about it among
the builder, developer community. Despite this Elematic has
supplied, installed and successfully commissioned 14 precast
plants all across India. Our competitors have also supplied roughly
10-15 plants.
Through our Indian and global partners we also provide
consulting services for concrete mix design for Hollow
Core Slabs and SCC for Battery Moulds. Further we also
provide training for site staff for treatment of precast
joints on construction sites and effective waterproofing in
precast buildings.
CE&CR: What trends do you foresee in the years to come in
this field?
C.D: Due to widespread project delays and consequently huge
cost over runs, the industry is now responding and thinking of
modern techniques of construction. As more and more projects
are completed successfully using precast concrete technology,
the use and awareness of precast is increasing rapidly.
 Precast Technology
Already many big names such as Amrapali Group, B.E.
Billimoria, Jindal Realty, BG Shirke, Janapriya, Tata Housing, BCC
(Bharat City) etc. are constructing many buildings using modern
precast concrete technology.
CE&CR: It seems that this technology can help meet the
requirement of affordable housing in India. Are the authorities in
India duly emphasizing on these technologies in this regard?
C.D: According to data available with Brick Eagle, a financial
services firm for affordable housing in India, the demand for
affordable housing in India is around 18.78 million. The size of
these units is in the range of 30-50 sq.m. Precast technology
is excellent for Speedy construction in the affordable housing
sector. High quality, factory produced elements reduce the
plastering and other on-site work and increases the life span and
reduced lifecycle cost of the buildings.
Recently DDA (Delhi Development Authority) contractor, BG
Shirke, completed 18,000 precast units for affordable housing
in less than two years and has commissioned another project
of 27,000 houses to be constructed using precast concrete
technology in 3 years in Delhi. DDA has approved precast
technology for all their future projects and plan to construct
100,000 units every year.
CE&CR: Do you think IS code doesn’t provide sufficient
provision for precast building design and also doesn’t allow design
of high rise building in precast?
C.D: Precast construction method is extensively being
124 CE&CR November 2014
practiced, for all sorts of buildings, in
countries like New Zealand, Canada, and
USA which fall under high seismic areas.
There has been a lot of research work
done to design precast buildings and
have developed literature for practicing
engineers e.g. precast Concrete Design
Handbook, New Zealand PCI Handbook,
FIB Documents.
In India, we have following codes
for the design of precast buildings; they
have nowhere talked about restriction
on use of precast technology. Since
IS codes are inadequate for precast
connection design, outside codes/
journals are followed for that purpose.
IS codes acknowledge the usage of precast elements.
IS 15916 prefabricated concrete
IS 15917 mixed composite construction
IS 13920 ductile detailing
IS 11447 large panel prefabricates
IS 456 plain and reinforced concrete
IS 1343 pre-stressed concrete
“Precast and/or prestressed concrete members may be used
only if they can provide the same level of ductility as that of a
monolithic reinforced concrete construction during or after an
earthquake” (Cl 1.1.2, IS 13920)
Already, there has been a lot of work going on in India for
developing precast design handbook for structural engineers.
Esteemed colleges like IIT Chennai are involved in this process.
First edition of this handbook is expected to release by end of the
year 2014.
CE&CR: How is use of precast concrete construction a better
idea as compared to pre-fabricated steel structures?
C.D: Precast construction is simply a replacement to
conventional way of constructing buildings. Pre-fabricated
construction has got limitations and is majorly used for industrial
buildings. Constructing a steel structure is always a costly option.
With precast construction one not only saves on time but also on
cost of construction.